Where to Celebrate Chinese New Year in NYC

Mooncakes, dragon shows, and firecrackers—Lunar New Year is coming up and everyone is invited to participate in the festivities. NYC is pulling out all the stops yet again with the massive, annual Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown. Want to prolong the celebration even more? NYC has plenty of other family-friendly events planned surrounding the new year, from live performances to educational parties. So bring the family and celebrate the Lunar New Year in style this year in NYC!

(Note!: This year there appears to be some confusion regarding the dates of the parades and events on Facebook. We reached out to organizers to double check—so if the dates seem to conflict, you can be sure that the dates listed below are the correct ones!)

Chinese New Year Temple Bazaar

Kick off the Lunar New Year celebration with the Flushing Town Hall's parade and bazaar. The parade begins at the Flushing Queens Library, winds down Main street, then turns onto Northern Boulevard to finish at the Flushing Town Hall. At the end of the parade visitors will be greeted by the 4th annual Temple Bazaar, where you can replenish all that walking energy from the parade with some traditional and fusion foods. Enjoy live performances, browse stalls, and participate in traditional crafts to celebrate the Year of the Dog. The parade is a one-day event, but the bazaar will be open two afternoons, so visit again on Sunday for more festivities.

Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Celebration

For a (slightly) smaller affair than the official Lunar New Year parades, check out the firecracker ceremony at the Sara D. Roosevelt Park. The event officially kicks off the New Year celebration, and will feature live performances and food vendors, as well as lively firecrackers and colorful confetti which kids are sure to love (though be aware, of course, that there will be loud noises and a large crowd). The celebration also lines up with the first day of kids' Midwinter Recess -- a perfect way to celebrate the start of a vacation!

Flushing Pre-Parade Reception at St. George's Episcopal Church

If you're heading to the Flushing Lunar New Year Parade, stop by the St. George's Episcopal Church in Flushing before heading out. The church will be offering a place to stay warm, meet other parade-goers, and enjoy complementary hot drinks and refreshments. Following the hour-long pre-parade reception, visitors will travel to the parade together.

Flushing Lunar New Year Parade

Join a diverse group of revelers from Flushing and all over the city at the Flushing Lunar New Year Parade. The event is held the weekend before the Chinatown parade, so you don't have to miss either! Families are encouraged to dress up for the occasion (but stay warm!) and bring signs and banners to ring in the Year of the Dog. The parade boasts costumes, floats, music and dancing, and traditional celebrations. After the parade, stop by any of the local food spots for a bite or For even visit the Flushing Town Hall for their new exhibit, The Costume Art of Imperial Peking Opera, which premiers on the day of the parade (through March 11).

Lunar New Year Celebration at the Queens Botanical Garden

Join the Queens Botanical Garden in celebrating the Lunar New Year alongside nature. The Garden will be hosting craft, performances, and educational displays where you can learn about the lucky plants associated with Year of the Dog. Bring some luck home from the plant sale, or just enjoy the festivities with the family.

Himalayan New Year Celebration at the Rubin Museum

Expands your cultural horizons by joining the Rubin Museum in celebrating Losar, the Himalayan New Year. Participate in traditional Himalayan New Year activities like adding your wishes for the new year to a tarjok-inspired Wishing Tree, enjoy Himalayan music, food, and art, and create artwork with unconventional mediums like dough and mud. The free event includes free admission to the museum, and encourages families to browse the galleries together in addition to joining in the festivities.

Lunar New Year Celebration in Chinatown

Held over a week after the actual Lunar New Year date, the Chinatown Lunar New Year parade is the largest celebration of the date in the city. Visit Chinatown on this date and you'll find live music, firecrackers, dragon dances, and much more. Naturally, you'll also find crowds and loud noises -- the closer you get to the main action, the more packed the crowds get, so plan accordingly if you have little kids. The parade will begin on Mott and Canal, move on to Chatham Square and then to East Broadway, finally traveling down Eldridge and Forsyth Streets to end up at Grand Street next to the Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Bring on the Year of the Dog!